Mental health is a consequence of emotional, social and psychological well-being. Mental health affects our thoughts and feelings. It determines how we act in different situations, how we handle stress, how we maintain our relations with others and how we make choices. If you face mental health problems, your way of thinking, mood and behaviour gets affected. A number of factors are related to mental health.
- Biological factors
- Traumatic events
- Family history
Determining early stages of mental health problems goes a long way in solving most of the concerns. Also following a wellness regime can work well for mental well-being.
5 Steps To Follow For Mental Well-Being
To improve your mental health and wellness, the following steps can be followed.
1. Be Physically Active
Not only beneficial for your physical health, being physically active releases hormones endorphins, which interact with brain receptors to reduce. They give the similar effect that the body gets through morphine. Practice any kind of physical activity that makes you happy. Try swimming, cycling, dancing along with your regular workout regime and try to make workout fun.
2. Learn New Skills Or Pursue Hobbies
Learning something and adding a new skill set boosts your confidence in ways you may not release. Learning new skills improves mental wellbeing as it may also build a sense of purpose in you and help you connect with others in a better way. Pursuing old hobbies like painting, gardening can also help in raising your self-esteem.
3. Be Mindful
Being mindful about the present can help you improve your mental wellbeing. This includes conscious efforts towards your thoughts, feelings and body. Paying attention to yourself and what happens around you will help you live in the moment and positively change the way you feel about your life.
4. Social Connect
Humans are social animals and while living in a society we come in contact with other humans too. Maintaining good relationships with your family and close friends and cordial relationships at the workplace are important for your mental wellbeing. It creates a sense of belongingness and gives an opportunity to support others and make positive experiences.
5. Give Back To The Society
The act of giving back to the society and showing kindness towards your fellow citizens can create a sense of purpose and self-worth which in turn leads to mental wellbeing. It helps you connect with others. It may be volunteering work at a community centre or public schools, donating funds or resources to the needy or even a small act of kindness by thanking someone for the little things they do.
Apart from the 5 steps mentioned above, mental wellness can also be boosted by-
- Getting at least 8 hours of sleep daily
- Including healthy foods in your diet
- Getting a mental workout with riddles, sudoku or games
- Learning to manage stress via meditation, yoga or whatever suits you
- Avoiding dependency on alcohol, smoking or other unhealthy habits
Mental wellness is a long process and cannot be achieved in a day or two. Dedicated efforts towards improving your mental health will lead to mental wellness.
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In case of mental health issues or stress related concerns, we advise you to visit a counsellor or psychologist.
